Channel 4 to Show Highlights of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games

Monday, 2 August

Terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 has confirmed that it will screen a highlights programme of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games which will be held in North East England from the 2nd – 5th September.  The event will see 1,600 of the UK’s elite school aged athletes compete across 10 sports, three of which have a disability element incorporated.

The one hour highlights programme will be broadcast on Saturday 18th September 07.00am till 08.00am and on Channel 4+1 from 08.00am till 09.00am.

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, is delighted that Channel 4 has agreed to broadcast highlights of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games:
 
“To get the support of a major broadcaster like Channel 4 is fantastic for the event.  We have worked with Channel 4 before so it was the obvious platform and partner for what will be a feast of sport.  The Sainsbury’s UK School Games feature the next generation of sporting stars, at some of the best sporting venues the UK has to offer, so it will make for some compelling TV viewing.” 

Sagina Shabaya, Deputy Commissioning Editor, Off-Peak Programming at Channel 4 is excited about the Sainsbury’s UK School Games being on Channel 4:

"We showed the UK School Games in 2008 and received some fantastic ratings, so it seemed logical that we would get involved again this year.  With 2012 only two years away the excitement is starting to build and this programme will be a fantastic opportunity to see future Olympic and Paralympic stars in action."

The 10 sports will be split across three cities, Gateshead will host Athletics, Judo and Badminton at the Gateshead International Stadium, Gymnastics at Gateshead Leisure Centre and Road Cycling.  Newcastle will play host to Hockey at Newcastle University Longbenton Sports Ground, Volleyball at the new £30million sports facility Northumbria University Sport Central and Criterium Cycling in Leazes Park.  Finally Sunderland will stage Fencing and Table Tennis at Sunderland Silkworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre and Swimming at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre.